When cruising in Alaska, some people think they’ll need to be bundled up in their winter coats and snow boots the whole time. Not true. Alaska’s cruise season runs from May to September, and the weather fluctuates between 40 and 70 degrees, occasionally dropping to 30 or 40 degrees at night. But it is not unheard to have a 90-degree day in the interior. It will rain during your cruise, but snow is unlikely. While packing for an Alaskan cruise, think layering, taking light, medium and some heavy weight clothing.
On Alaskan resort cruises, most of your entertainment and activities will be on-board or on sightseeing or shopping excursions at ports of call. Casual wear is the order of the day on most Alaskan cruises, but many cruises hold formal nights where appropriate dress is required. The best thing to do is check with your cruise agent about any particular clothing policies.
Pack versatile clothing. On formal nights, a man’s blazer can be worn with a good shirt and tie and dress pants, or matched with khakis, jeans or slacks and an open neck shirt for an informal night. A woman’s formal skirt can be paired with different jackets and blouses for formal looks, and her jackets and blouses can be matched with casual skirts, slacks or jeans for informal looks. Pack frugally, as you can always buy what you forget, or find you need due to an unexpected occurrence, during the cruise. Most ships have dry cleaning, coin-op laundries and ironing facilities available.
Alaskan Cruise Casual Wear: Basic casual clothing needs include sweaters, jogging or sweat suits, jeans/slacks/trousers, long-sleeved shirts, hooded sweatshirt, flannel shirts, flannel vest or ski jacket. Take a couple of t-shirts (or wear the souvenir t-shirts you buy during the trip), and a pair of shorts in case the weather warms up, and a bathing suit (most liners have indoor and/or outdoor pools).
Alaskan Cruise Outerwear: Be prepared for cool, but not freezing, temperatures and rain. You will spend a lot of time out on deck. Your outerwear should include a waterproof jacket or windbreaker, sweatshirt or rain parka, wool or fleece sweater or jacket liner and a long sleeve shirt or turtleneck. A ski jacket or similar weight coat is recommended.
What to wear at Alaskan Cruise Formal Dinners: While some Alaskan cruises are more casual than others, some people do wear tuxes and long gowns on “Captain’s Gala” night, or when they are invited to dine at the captain’s table. Dress as you would for a nice wedding. Cocktail dresses, gowns or dressy suits for women, and tuxedos, suits or blazers and dress pants, white shirts and ties for men are the rule. Formal wear can also be rented on-board.
What to wear at Alaskan Cruise non-formal meals: Except for the Captains Gala, meals in the formal dining room are “smart casual” attire, or what you would wear to a nice restaurant. It includes dresses, skirts or slacks, sweaters or blouses for women, open neck shirts and pants for men, with jacket and tie optional. You can, however, dress in jeans or more casual attire in the less casual dining areas.
Alaskan Cruise Footwear: The importance of comfortable, broken in footwear cannot be overemphasized. Take low-heeled shoes for on-board activities, walking shoes/rubber-soled sandals for shore excursions and one pair of dress shoes to match your evening attire. Pack shoes suitable for wet conditions and hiking boots if you plan to hike or climb. Don’t forget a pair of slippers or flip-flops for cabin wear, and good warm socks.
Odds and Ends: Other basic items include underwear, robe and pajamas, a hat or visor and sunglasses and light gloves. Umbrellas and binoculars are a must. Don’t forget your camera and extra batteries and chips. Most cameras are digital these days, but if you’re still using 35 mm, bring plenty of extra film, or figure this cost into your cruise budget.
Now that you know what to bring on an Alaskan Cruise, visit my source page and click on “Choosing an Alaskan Cruise.”
Sources: What to pack for an Alaskan cruise; Alaska cruise wear; What to pack; About Alaska
